Over and over again, we see the same problems come up when building anything physical in this country, such as a house or a train. Costs start to balloon and every project seems to end up over budget – or at least costs us more than it would cost to build in other countries.

More Neighbours Toronto’s founder Eric Lombardi attributes this largely to a system of soft corruption.

In this conversation, he highlights how convoluted processes and lack of transparency lead to inflated costs and diminished outcomes. He compares Canada's approach to infrastructure with that of European countries, emphasizing the need for standardization and in-house expertise. Lombardi proposes solutions to improve procurement processes and accountability, advocating for a more efficient and transparent system that prioritizes taxpayer value.

Links:
Canada can no longer afford to ignore its ‘soft corruption’ problem
https://thehub.ca/2024/10/03/eric-lombardi-canada-can-no-longer-afford-to-ignore-its-soft-corruption-problem/

Altus Group
https://www.altusgroup.com/
https://www.bildgta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-GTA-Municipal-Benchmarking-Study-Our-number-7147-Final.pdf
More Neighbours

Guest: Eric Lombardi, https://x.com/EricDLombardi

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

A lot of people get into advocacy for better cities and urbanism by watching what’s perhaps YouTube’s biggest urbanism channel, @NotJustBikes . But that leads many to think that with enough advocacy, their hometowns could one day also look like a city in the Netherlands. Not Just Bikes’ Jason Slaughter says it’s not that simple.

In this conversation, journalist Cara Stern and economist Mike Moffatt talk to Jason about what North American cities can learn from the Netherlands. They explore the principles of Dutch urban design, the importance of context in urban planning, and the need for holistic approaches that go beyond just implementing bike lanes.

Links:
Why Canadians Can't Bike in the Winter (but Finnish people can):
https://youtu.be/Uhx-26GfCBU?si=uB-fSJYD0ouxDHiv
Strong Towns:
https://www.strongtowns.org/

Guest: Jason Slaughter, Not Just Bikes https://www.youtube.com/c/notjustbikes

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this episode of the Missing Middle, Cara Stern is mad. A majority of MPs recently voted to increase Old Age Security for seniors aged 65-74, regardless of whether they actually need more money.

She and Mike Moffatt explore the structure of Canada's pension programs, the purpose of OAS, and the financial burden it places on the federal budget – and younger workers, many of whom are struggling to pay their housing bills.

They cover the disparities in income among seniors, the challenges of targeting benefits, and the political dynamics surrounding OAS proposals.

Also, we need a co-host to fill in while Cara is on mat leave! If you're interested, send us a resume with one-minute video of why you'd be good for this role to missingmiddlepodcast@gmail.com

Links:
Canadian Museum of History
Old Age Security pension recovery tax
Disaggregated trends in poverty from the 2021 Census of Population
Jennifer Robson
https://carleton.ca/politicalmanagement/people/jennifer-robson/
Shooting a fly with an elephant gun: The Bloc’s ultimatum on seniors’ benefits
Most Canadians support or somewhat support extending Old Age Security benefits increase to seniors 65 to 74.

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this episode of Missing Middle, journalist Cara Stern is mad. A street in her neighbourhood in Toronto is trying to get an exemption to the city-wide garden suites rules.

Cara and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the ongoing challenges of NIMBYism in Toronto, still supported by local city councillors, even when it's about the gentlest of gentle density.


Links:

How garden suites are dividing these Toronto neighbours (thestar.com)
East-end residents worry they may lose garden suite zoning | CBC News
Craven Road I – Leslieville Historical Society (leslievillehistory.com)
Latest update from the City

Craven Road Map


If you want to let Toronto City council know you support more housing and that garden suites everywhere are part of that you can email:

City Planner Alexa Legge:
alexa.legge@toronto.ca

Ward 14 City Councillor, Paula Fletcher:
councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca

Mayor Olivia Chow:
mayor_chow@toronto.ca

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

When Mike bought his first home, it cost him $168,000. That number barely covers a downpayment in much of Ontario these days – and even if a developer wanted to, it could not offer that price (even indexed to inflation) because the costs to build are just so high.

Mike and Cara break down the costs associated with home-building, including land prices, development charges, construction costs, and taxes, while also examining the impact of these factors on housing affordability.

Links:

Eric Lombardi

Greater Toronto Area Municipal Benchmarking Study

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

@NotJustBikes is many people's gateway into urbanism, and an understanding into how much better our cities and towns can be, if we just make some policy changes.

In this conversation, journalist Cara Stern, economist Mike Moffatt, Not Just Bikes creator Jason Slaughter discuss the challenges and implications of car-dependent suburbs in North America. They explore personal experiences, historical context, and the impact of legislation on urban design. The discussion also delves into economic factors influencing suburban living, the potential for transformation, and cultural attitudes towards housing.

Links:
Not Just Bikes
https://www.youtube.com/c/notjustbikes

Suburbs that don’t suck:
Suburbs that don't Suck - Streetcar Suburbs (Riverdale, Toronto) (youtube.com)

Wortley Village
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wortley_Village

Strong Towns:
https://www.strongtowns.org/

The Sprawl Repair Manual
https://sprawlrepair.com/home/

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

The conversation explores the impact of the AI revolution on workers and the potential for mass unemployment. The hosts discuss past technological revolutions and the winners and losers they created. They also consider the role of AI in job creation and the potential for increased inequality. The conversation touches on the importance of skills and creativity in navigating the changing job market.

Links:
Vass Bednar @regstoriches
David Bowie predicted in 1999 the impact of the Internet in BBC
Dilbert Blog: Career Advice

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

This week, the federal government announced some big changes to mortgage policies in Canada. Specifically, it’s expanding 30-year mortgage amortizations to anyone buying a new build, or to all first-time homebuyers. It’s also raising the insured mortgage cap from $1 million to $1.5 million.

In this conversation journalist Cara Stern and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the changes and the implications for first-time homebuyers, investors, and the overall housing market, while also addressing concerns about increased debt and the long-term effects on housing prices.

Links:
Insurable versus Uninsured Mortgages

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.